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Dmitri Torbinski and Andrei Arshavin scored in the second period of extra time as Russia beat the Netherlands 3-1 last night to reach the semifinals of soccer’s European Championship. Roman Pavlyuchenko had put the Russians ahead after 56 minutes in Basel, Switzerland, before Dutch striker Ruud van Nistelrooy tied the game with four minutes of regulation play remaining. Russia coached by Dutchman Guus Hiddink will now make its first appearance in the last four of a major tournament since competing as an independent nation. It previously played as part of the Soviet Union, winner of the inaugural title in 1960.

The Netherlands, the European champion in 1988, had won every group-stage match by outscoring its opponents 9-1. Defender Khalid Boulahrouz was included in the Dutch starting lineup, two days after deciding to stay with the squad following the death of his prematurely born baby daughter. His teammates wore black armbands as a mark of respect. It was Russia that created the game’s first opportunity, with Yuri Zhirkov forcing a save from goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar in the seventh minute with a free-kick. Pavlyuchenko then headed an Igor Semshov cross over from 10 yards out. Russia goalkeeper Igor Akinfeev saved a 37th-minute shot from Van Nistelrooy and punched out a powerful drive from Van der Vaart after 44 minutes. The Dutch struggled to create clear chances until Van Nistelrooy tied the game. The Real Madrid striker dived to head in a freekick by Wesley Sneijder at the far post.

Both teams attacked from the start of extra time, with Van der Sar and Akinfeev both having to make saves in the first three minutes. In the 97th minute, Pavlyuchenko was denied his second goal by the crossbar after cutting inside and striking a right-foot shot from 20 yards. The Russians then wasted several opportunities as Torbinski couldn’t put the ball in from six yards and Kolodin sent a freekick wide. The teams remained tied at the end of the first 15-minute period. Torbinski, who will miss the semifinal after collecting his second yellow card of the tournament, put Russia ahead again with eight minutes remaining. He put a looping Arshavin cross into the net from close range for his second international goal. Arshavin then scored with a low shot, which went through the legs of Van der Sar, to end hopes of a Dutch comeback.

Russia will next face the winner of today’s quarterfinal between world champion Italy or Spain on June 26. Record three- time winner Germany faces Turkey on June 25 in the other semifinal.